Thank you for following my journey. 

I hope my writing and photos keeps you entertained. 

Day 1: Friday 21st February 2025
From: Canterbury to Dover, approximately 34k

Weather: Extremely windy! This made walking so difficult in some places. Certainly, it was more exhausting, too! It was not very cold, although I wore two T-shirts and a jumper. Most of the day it was spitting with light rain. At one point, it even felt like it was going to bucket it down – but it didn’t. 

Walking report: The walk was quite boring! It started mostly following roads and paved footpaths. Then it finally opened up onto the North Downs Way. The path went up and down lots of valleys and long, empty fields until I finally arrived in Shepherdswell. This only took me about 3.5 hours to walk 17.1km; a beautiful little village with a nice-looking pub, although it’s not open until 2 pm. Therefore, the only place for a coffee and a sit-down was a quaint little farm shop. I stopped there for a brief spell before marching onwards to Dover. 

The route to Dover was a bit different – a lot of gradual climbs, some steep and quite a few wooded areas to pass through. It was mostly quite straightforward, apart from the strong wind and mud that made it quite an arduous walk! I certainly missed the warmth and ease of walking like in Spain. 

Thoughts: Walking long distances alone is not an easy task, but one I am very comfortable with doing. When I was buying my boots from a shop in Horsham, another potential customer in the store asked me what I was looking to use them for. I explained I was going to walk from Canterbury to Rome. His reaction was similar to most I’ve encountered so far – shock and ermm.. why?! He asked me if I was going to get paid for it, or if I was walking there for charity. When I explained to him I wasn’t doing either, he seemed even more confused – “So why then? He said.” My response at that moment was such a simple answer to give! 

Why not! 

He seemed to accept this answer, wished me well and left me alone. 

During my walk today, I was thinking about that moment a lot. I have since decided to raise money for charity – MacMillan Cancer Support. My reasons for choosing them, as you have probably seen are my way of remembering my dad but also supporting others who may be/have experienced the effects of the tragic illness. 

My ‘why not’ reason feels a bit more complex. For over 15 years, I struggled to walk because of a deteriorating hip joint. Every step I took was quite painful and not much fun. I think I’ve survived on Ibuprofen and Paracetamol for as long as I can remember. Even during both of my Camino de Santiago pilgrimages and the one I completed in Portugal. It was a daily occurrence to be taking tablets at least 3-4 times a day. 

In February 2024, all that pain finally came to an end, with a nice new titanium ball, socket joint and femur being fitted into my right leg. Now that the new joint has fully embedded itself and formed a new part of my body. I have not once had to take any pain medication because it hurts. To me, this is quite a strange thing, particularly having been used to it for so long. So, my ‘why not?’ Must be – because I can! I have walked several times alone and spent a lot of time in my life being single, so I feel very confident in myself and do not have any fear of being alone.

Nor am I searching for anything either. I can do this walk and will do this walk not just to raise money for charity and remember my dad, but ultimately because I can and can! Also, life at school is always so busy. It will be nice to step (excuse the pun) away from it all and just be. Like I said on my website, left foot, right foot and onwards I go. 

For now, though, it’s time to return to school (teaching) and get fitter until the Easter holidays and my next 500+ mile adventure walking across France.

Day 2: Monday 31st March 2025

From: Dover to Calais, P&O Ferries

Weather: There has been an abundance of sunshine today, all the way from Chipperfield through London and crossing the channel to France. I have certainly caught the sun already!

 

Journey: Today has been a very fluid day! My first train from Rickmansworth to Kings Cross was easy. My second train, from King's Cross International to Dover, was a doddle. The walk down to the P&O ferry terminal was lovely. Walking through the town and along the coast in the sunshine was heavenly. The ferry journey was very calm. I sat outside, walked around and took a lot of photos. When I arrived here in Calais, there was a free bus, which brought me into the town centre. It was an odd little thing. An electric minibus type thing. A cross between a taxi and a van, with only 10 seats and a small amount of standing room. Just as the bus started getting busier and uncomfortable, I decided to get off. A fortunate choice to have made! I saw a beautiful building, which I decided to go and take a photo of. Upon closer inspection, I discovered it was the town hall. I went inside, hoping to find a stamp for my credential passport. (A book that is once filled with a stamp from each place I stop will grant me a certificate in Latin from the Vatican office in Rome. 

 

I was very lucky, especially considering how awful my spoken French request was, but I walked away with a nice photo and a first of many French stamps. With a spring in my step, and satisfaction for a relaxing day in my heart. I walked up to my Airbnb for the night. It is a brilliant place to stay. It’s a very spacious 1-bed flat with a very comfy bed, dining table, lounge and a kitchen. There is a Carrefour, and a quaint church around the corner. 

 

I’ve been stocking up on supplies for breakfast and lunch tomorrow, say a few prayers and explore a bit. Once I got back to the flat, I organised my things for the morning and cooked a yummy chicken and rice dish for tea. I am now chilling with Netflix and a beer; starting to feel ready for bed. My excitement for starting my first day of French adventures is gradually increasing along with my realisation of where I am! Today has gone by so quickly; It all feels like a blur.

Day 3: Tuesday 1st April 2025

From: Calais to Wissant, approximately 25k

Weather: The weather today, has once again been heavenly! Just the right kind of warm, glorious sunshine! A bit windy in places, but not too uncomfortable to walk. 

 

Walking report: Being my first day, I was not sure what to expect. I knew the route would be along the Calais beach, but I didn’t expect it all to be! It was quite hard going at first. My bag with 3 litres of water in it felt very heavy!! I opted for the alternative path after a while, as I’d just had enough of all the sand making it harder to walk. I had a quick coffee stop in Sangatte before walking the rest of the way along yet another beach, all the way here to Wissant. The sand and size of this beach were just incredible! It was so easy to walk along. I stopped for lunch on an old German battlement until I noticed the tide coming in very fast!! I got going quite quickly because I could see the path up to Wissant was soon to be underwater. 

 

Luckily, I arrived just in time, too! I manage to dodge a few waves, climbing on the wooden groynes up to the boat ramp/foot path. I have checked into a lovely campsite for the night, pitched my tent, had a wonderful hot shower and a walk around the town. Now, I’m currently sitting on a bench, relaxing in the sun, ready for dinner and a lie down! My first 24k in France is done. It was quite easy too! Several steep bits that took my breath away, but nothing I couldn’t handle. 

 

The views across the channel were just sensational! The ‘Côte d’Opale’ really is quite something to see. I was semi-tempted to skip this bit, but I’m so pleased I didn’t! It’ll be the last stretch of sea until Italy, so certainly worth it! 

 

Thoughts for the day: Not too many thoughts today, I was mostly thinking about my feet and shoes being more comfortable. Then, when I was not focused on them, my attention was drawn to how heavy my bag felt. It certainly didn’t feel that heavy when I was practising at home. There are only a few things I’ve added. I’m wondering if the extra 1 litre of water is what’s done it. Or, I’m just weaker and not used to it. Who knows.. I’m sure I’ll get used to it! 

 

The only other thing that distracted my attention from the incredible views, feet and bag was once again – Pace. A word I am now starting to dislike. ‘Am I going quickly enough? '’ Am I walking 5k an hour?’ ‘I need to arrive at 2 pm.’ All of these ‘Am I’ statements are quickly being left behind! What is the point of me walking this journey if I don’t focus on what’s truly important; walking from place to place with a smile on my face, love in my heart and enjoying the journey along the way! Tomorrow, I feel like it will be a very different way! 

Day 4: Wednesday 2nd April 2025

From: Wissant to Guines, approximately 25k


Quote for the day: I wish the popular line in the Disney film Frozen were true - "the cold never bothered me anyway!" 

 

Weather: Horribly windy, cold and not very nice. 

 

Walking report: A very tiresome day! I barely had any sleep because of the -2 degrees and the lack of sleep. It was a hard day of walking, but I managed to get there. 

 

Thoughts for the day: carry less stuff! This camping idea is not a good one - it is far too cold and I have only gone and brought the wrong sleeping bag!

Day 5: Thursday 3rd April 2025

From: Guines to Licques, approximately 18k 

The walk today was very peaceful! 

 

The trail was mostly on forest paths, and farm roads with the odd field mixed in. On the ridgeway just before arriving in Licques, there was a beautiful view of the countryside surrounding the very small village.

 

With a population of only 1,597 people, Licques is a very quiet place to be! I was a bit brave today, and did not have a place booked to stay. When I arrived, I stopped in the first and only bar, called lots of places and was unlucky with every place I called. Fortunately, my final option could help with a bed in a static caravan for the night. It was not the nicest of places, but it was warm, dry and had a bed under a roof. It was a relief being able to switch on some radiators and curl up in a cosy cabin. The dinner options were also limited as there were no shops/bars around. However, conveniently placed outside the local leisure centre was a vending machine serving fresh, hot pizzas. It wasn't too bad either, although it was cold by the time I hobbled back to the cabin to eat it. 

Day 6: Friday 4th April 2025

From: Licques to Tournehem-sur-la-Hem, approximately 16k

Today started off with a tough beginning. There was a steep turn up hill past the town of Audenfort. Walking up through a muddy field was not easy. My ankle was hurting a lot going up, which was not fun! 

 

The route changed after a while going through a town. It was yet another place with no people! It is mad how in only 5 days how few people I have seen. It feels very odd how there is nobody around. I think I walked for about 5 hours before finally seeing another human being. 

 

Two highlights from today were seeing the vending machines that sell strawberries (when in season). And the bench I stopped and rested on by the solitary relic of the Saint Louis Chapel - the subject of many a myth and legend. 

 

I found a great place to stay tonight! A lovely hotel, with a great room, amazing shower, and restaurant. It was heavenly being able to rest my foot and chill out. I met a fun couple whilst having dinner, which was nice. We had a laugh sharing travel stories. A short, hard to start, but relatively easy day's walk, I certainly feel like I'm getting fitter/stronger. 

Day 5: Saturday 5th April 2025

From: Tournehem-sur-la-Hem to Therouanne, approximately 44k

Wow! What a day – I doubled my walking distance from the past few days. I’m basically an Olympic athlete now (in my mind, at least). Surprisingly, despite my mileage, I felt pretty strong all day, at least I did until I suddenly didn’t! 

 

First drama: my ankle and these shoes are truly a match made in hell. Seriously, wearing the Merrell shoes I bought is such a bad decision. It feels like I'm walking on the instep all the time. The walk mostly consisted of endless rolling hills through leafy, green countryside. I spent a lot of the walk wondering where all the other living beings were - I don't think I saw anything/anyone all morning. 

 

Even when I stumbled into the town of Wisques—an amazing little place with an Abbey. The place I contemplated staying for the night, but of course, it was closed and there was nothing else around. Typical! No bed, no rest, no food, no drink. Feeling disappointed and disheartened, I swiftly made a decision to march on to Delettes, which had slightly larger hopes of civilization. 

 

As I trekked down the hill from Wisques, I ended up walking through yet another sleepy ghost town. Just as I started to question my life choices (and my footwear), I decided to put some tunes on, to distract myself from the pain in my ankle—because who needs comfort when you have music, right? 

 

Suddenly, I heard a loud honking noise, so I instinctually stopped to wave. Next thing I know, I had fallen through a manhole! In the blink of an eye, I went from “I should be walking on sunshine” to “Hello, darkness, my old friend,” and in record time too! My left leg was stuck, with the manhole lid somehow upside down on my thigh—as if it was trying to keep me in place. Blood - oh, just a touch! My body also felt like I was shaking like a maraca at a fiesta. 

 

Some people kindly stopped and came to my rescue which was lovely. Although, I managed to pull my leg out myself.  My first thought after shimmying my leg free was, “shit - why didn’t I take a picture!"

 

From then onwards, the rest of the walk felt like I was balancing out my injuries—like I was completing some twisted scale of pain. But, being the determined adventurer I am, I soldiered on toward my hostel. When I finally arrived, I raced straight to the supermarket like a kid in a candy store—only this time, it was wine, food, and breakfast that were calling my name. Thank goodness I decided to make the extra 1-hour trek to get there and back, because if I'd sat down first I wouldn't have made it. 

 

What a place to stay too! Alain the 'hospitalero' (at least that's what they're called in Spanish) was a legend. He greeted me with open arms, the English and Kiwi couples also staying were equally as kind. It was a great end to a bloody long and tough day! Fortunately, tomorrow is Sunday and do you know what - I'm going to have a rest here and take the day off! 

Day 5: Sunday 6th April 2025

From: Day off in Therouanne

What a lovely day!!

 

The day began after a night of peaceful slumber. I had a great night's sleep. The room to myself was heavenly. Even though there was a horrible blue plastic mattress sticking to my face every time I turned over, it was so lovely. My plans for the day were not very much. I decided to go to the supermarket and buy lots of food. I went there with the Kiwi couple Kate and Bryce. We had a nice lunch together and ate some beautiful French cakes I bought in the supermarket. I did lots of washing, lots of planning for my next few days, booking hotel rooms/hostel rooms in advanced, and it was just a great day off!! Alain the owner of the hostel took all of us out in his car to the archaeological site where the original city centre one was. He showed us around and gave us a tour of the remains. Unfortunately, most of it was in French, but I understood most and kind of translated for Kate and Bryce everything that he was saying. Once upon a time, the place was enormous, but it was burnt to the ground and they had salt put all on their farm yards fields to prevent any crops from growing. Which is why nowadays, the town is tiny. 

 

All in all it was a peaceful day off and good to rest my foot and sleep!

Day 5: Friday 4th April 2025

From: Licques to Tournehem-sur-la-Hem 

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